Ethereum to Phase Out Holesky Testnet by 2025, Introduces Hoodi for Pectra Upgrade

Ethereum core developers have announced their intention to phase out the Holesky testnet by September 2025. This decision marks another significant step in the network's ongoing evolution and transition of its testnet infrastructure. The decommissioning of testnets is a standard procedure for Ethereum, with previous testnets such as Kiln, Ropsten, and Rinkeby retired in 2022, followed by Goerli in 2023.

Launched in September 2023, Holesky has been one of Ethereum’s two primary testnets, alongside Sepolia. It has played a crucial role in staking, infrastructure development, and protocol testing. However, Holesky recently encountered disruptions during the testing phase for the Pectra upgrade. Despite extensive restoration efforts, the network's ability to support certain community testing scenarios remains limited due to a congested validator exit queue. According to the Ethereum Foundation’s latest update, fully exiting validators will take up to a year, making Pectra testing impractical on Holesky.

To address these challenges, developers have introduced a new testnet called Hoodi. Hoodi will activate the Pectra upgrade on March 26, ahead of its expected mainnet release in the second quarter of 2025. The Ethereum Foundation has advised staking operators and infrastructure providers to migrate to Hoodi for validator testing. While Holesky remains operational for now, developers are considering repurposing it for internal stress tests, including gas limit experiments and protocol-level testing, before its eventual phase-out next year.

This transition highlights the continuous efforts of Ethereum developers to enhance the network's efficiency and reliability. The introduction of Hoodi and the eventual phase-out of Holesky demonstrate the network's commitment to staying at the forefront of blockchain technology. As Ethereum continues to evolve, these changes are expected to pave the way for more robust and scalable solutions, benefiting both developers and users alike.